Tenants - Want to rent?

VIEWING PROPERTIES

We aim to be as flexible as possible so that you can view our properties at times that suit your lifestyle. If you are not able to view a property within our normal working hours, please do ask and we will do what we can to help. Please be aware that many of the properties are occupied, so please take this into consideration when booking early viewings on a Saturday, or late viewings in the evenings.

RESERVATION FEE

We will ask you to pay a RESERVATION FEE of one week’s rent which should be paid by debit card for which there is no charge, (if you wish to use a credit card, there will be a surcharge of 3% added). A receipt will be issued which stipulates that this is non-refundable if the references are not acceptable. If the tenancy goes ahead, this amount will be credited to your account.

REFERENCES

These will be taken up by a credit reference agency on our behalf. An online reference form will be emailed to each tenant to complete as soon as possible. There is a charge of £54 (incl VAT) for each tenant reference. Where a Guarantor is required an additional fee of £54 (incl VAT) will also be due. If the tenant is a Company the charge will be £72 (incl VAT).

SIGNING THE AGREEMENT

Once the references have been approved, the Tenancy Agreement will need to be signed and the balance of monies due will need to be paid (less any holding deposit already paid). Two forms of ID will also be required for each tenant i.e.: a copy of a passport or photo driving licence PLUS a copy of a utility bill or bank statement. You will also need to provide a copy of your Visa if you are not a permanent UK resident. The rent payable is one calendar month in advance and the deposit is equivalent to six weeks rent. You should pay this by debit card, credit card (this will attract a 3% surcharge of the total amount) or bank transfer at least 5 working days in advance of your moving in date.

ADMINISTRATION FEES

There is an administration fee of £198 (incl VAT) and we require this to be paid at the same time as signing the agreement. A fee of £120 (incl VAT) will be charged if your tenancy is renewed. You will also be liable to pay the inventory check out charge at the end of the tenancy the cost of this is £150 (incl VAT) for a studio/1 bedroom property, there will be an additional charge of £30 (incl VAT) for every extra bedroom greater than one.

Should you wish to terminate your tenancy before the end of the term and the landlord agrees that you can terminate early, you will be responsible for the repayment of the pro-rata commission due by the landlord for the unexpired portion of the tenancy, unless you are exercising a break clause which is contained in your tenancy agreement.

It is your obligation to obtain written consent from the landlord for any change of tenant. Upon receipt of this consent, Courtenay will draw up a tenancy agreement for signature by all parties. An administration fee of £150 (incl VAT) will be charged for this service.

DEPOSITS

A deposit equivalent to six weeks rent must be paid in cleared funds when you sign the tenancy agreement and is held by Courtenay as Stakeholder for the duration of the tenancy in accordance with the terms of the tenancy agreement and where applicable Courtenay will register the deposit monies with a deposit protection scheme on the landlord’s behalf. Courtenay excludes liability in relation to loss caused by the insolvency of a financial institution which holds deposits in its contracts with landlords and tenants. Any interest earned on the deposit shall be retained by Courtenay. All deposit deductions must be agreed in writing by both the landlord and tenant upon the termination of the tenancy. The tenancy agreement entered into is between the landlord and the tenant and therefore, the tenant cannot hold Courtenay liable for any deductions made from the deposit which may fall in dispute.

RENT

Rent is payable calendar monthly by standing order. We will supply you with a standing order form containing our bank details and your personal reference no. to quote with any payments you make to us. You will then need to contact your bank to set up the standing order. An administration fee of £42 (incl VAT) will be charged for each letter sent by Courtenay regarding late or non-payment of rent or administration charges.

MOVING IN

We will arrange a time for the inventory clerk (or Landlord in some cases) to check you into the property. He will go through the inventory with you, take all meter readings and hand over the keys. If there are any comments you wish to make, please advise us in writing within seven days. Inventory clerks work Monday to Saturday.

RENEWAL OF TENANCY

Please contact us in advance if you wish to extend your tenancy. If the tenancy is renewed, we will make an administration charge of £120 (incl VAT).

GAS/ELECTRICITY/WATER/COUNCIL TAX/TELEPHONE

You will be responsible for the payment of telephone, gas, water and electricity accounts at the property during your tenancy, as well as the council tax. It is your responsibility to notify the relevant companies and the local authority that you are moving into/out of the property. You are also responsible for ensuring that a valid television licence remains in place for the duration of the tenancy. Utility companies will also require the occupant to provide access for any visit.

FURNISHINGS

You should establish what furniture is or will be included, as items seen at the time of viewing may belong to the current tenants. Please note that properties are let on an ‘as seen’ basis and any requests should be made prior to your offer being agreed with the Landlord.

INSURANCE

It is your responsibility to insure your own belongings throughout the tenancy.

MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY

At the start of the tenancy we will advise you who is responsible for managing the property. This is not always Courtenay. When we are not managing the property we cannot authorise any repairs or maintenance or guarantee the speed at which repairs will be carried out. Where we are managing the property, we may have to obtain the landlord’s consent prior to proceeding with any repairs.